Injured Player Showing Response

Rolling Meadows Student Paralyzed In Practice

October 07, 1999|By Lisa Black, Tribune Staff Writer.

Rolling Meadows High School junior Robert Komosa, a varsity football team running back who was knocked unconscious and paralyzed after running into a pole during a Wednesday evening practice, responded to his mother and his sister Thursday morning, school officials said.

Officials at Northwestern Memorial Hospital declined to release any information about Komosa's condition at his family's request.

But Rolling Meadows High School Principal Jack Elliott said officials and students were hopeful and praying for the 17-year-old's recovery. Komosa suffered injuries to his first and second cervical vertebrae while being tackled along the practice field sidelines.

"Our prayers and thoughts are with Rob and his family," Elliott said. "We are hopeful for a full recovery."

School officials said they will review the safety of their football practice fields, where a metal fence runs about 11 or 12 feet away from the sidelines.

Ron Freeman, assistant principal for athletics, said a fence has been in place at the field

since the school was built 29 years ago "and we've never had an incident."

The height of the fence was increased in recent years to keep stray balls from flying onto residential property.

"We've never had a reason to think it's not OK," said Freeman, who said the athletic facilities are continuously monitored for safety. "We need to look at this situation and learn from this what we need to do to make sure this incident never happens again."

Counselors from Lutheran General Hospital spoke to varsity team members Wednesday night, and school district counselors were on hand for all students and faculty Thursday morning. Komosa was initially treated at Lutheran General before being flown to Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

All 170 players in the Rolling Meadows program were informed about the accident in a general assembly Thursday morning.

"We know there are inherent risks in all competitive activities," Freeman said. "You never want to experience this type of tragedy."